Self-tucking fitted sheet



Sept. 20, 1966 M. ANDERSON ETAL 3,273,175

SELF-TUCKING FITTED SHEET Filed Feb. 7, 1964 INVENTORS MARTIN ANDERSON HATT 113 T. ANDERSON United States Patent Office 3,273,175 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 3,273,175 SELF-TUCKING FITTED SHEET Martin Anderson and Hattie T. Anderson, both of 1-H Gardenway, Greenbelt, Md. Filed Feb. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 343,296 7 Claims. (Cl. -334) This invention relates in general to fitted sheets or the like. In particular it relates to a fitted sheet having tensioned linear corner edge elastic means and concave corner indentations whereby said sheet may be fitted and positioned upon a mattress without distortion of the mat tress and excessive strain upon the sheet edge and the corner elastic means.

The prior art shows two divergent practical approaches to providing an effective combination that includes elastic means in a fitted sheet or the like. The two resulting classes are as follows with reference to relevant representative patents.

Class IThe provision of elastic gores, gussets, or the like in sheet corners between adjacent side and end panels thereof: Shauer, U.S. Pat. 2,162,755; Harris, U.S. Pat. 2,624,893; Stefiinich, U.S. Pat. 3,013,283; Cobb, U.S. Pat. 3,114,156.

Class IIThe provision of linear edge elastic means in combination with the free edge of the sheet.

(A) Evenly tension elastic (1) Corner edges only (or corners and ends): Schreiber, U.S. Pat. 2,139,698; Nail, U.S. Pat. 2,904,103; Barnes, U.S. Pat. 3,111,688; Barrett, British Pat. 701,899; Mulliez Freres, French Pat. 1,185,622.

(2) End edges only: May, U.S. Pat. 2,942,280; Hester, U.S. Pat. 2,994,094.

(3) The entire edge: Fry, U.S. Pat. 1,996,575; Coldren, U.S. Pat. 2,191,956; Kessler, U.S. Pat. 2,528,313; Black, U.S. Pat. 2,569,627; Kurland, U.S. Pat. 2,696,872.

(B) Differentially tensioned elastic: Anderson, U.S. Pat. 3,020,566.

This specification is directed to improvements in Class II-type sheets which provide, in contrast to those of Class I, further useful sheet bottom fullness, minimum seam strain during fitting, and-with respect to this inventionare reliably self-tucking.

In our patent, 3,020,566, issued February 13, 1962, we described a self-tucking fitted sheet having differentially tensioned elastic means whereby fullness remaining under the mattress after the fitting of the sheet might be taken up in corner gathers. In the specification of that patent we noted that the use only of corner elastic means was unsatisfactory and could not provide the exceptional qualities of the sheet of that invention. This was so since it is nearly impossible without excessive tensioning of the elastic to take up fullness entire-1y in the corners while retaining suflicient tension upon the sheet edge to permit the self-tucking effect.

One solution to this problem is to miter out a portion of the bottom fullness of the sheet, as has indeed been done in Class II-type sheets which are now commercially available. In all of these sheets, prepared from square blanks with symmetrically cut-out corner portions, the seam edges of the corner portions may be described as varying from double-beveled to continually inwardly curved. In every case the lower portion of the seam edge is substantially convex. When the adjacent seam edges are united, the free edge of the sheet, with its tensioned corner (or corner and end) elastic means, is of peripheral length just marginally suflicient to extend over any one mattress corner.

We have discovered that by providing corner seams, formed from seam edges of symmetrically cut-out corner portions of a sheet blank, with a concave curvature in the mattress bottomor mattress bottom edge-enfolding portion, there results a sheet possessing optimum fitting properties while avoiding excessive strain of edge elastic, sheet edge, and corner seams. The sheet of this invention is nearly comparable to that of our patent, 3,020,566, in its qualities but substantially more suited to economical mass production. The concave curvature of the corner seams minimizes bottom fullness while approaching a maximum of edge fullness, thus allowing the most convenient fitting possible to obtain with only corner edge elastic means. This sheet may be described as double-fitted since it is both self-positioning and self-tucking.

This invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like indicia refer to like parts or elements.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a sheet embodying this invention may be made.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a sheet of this invention with the sheet shown as fully extended over a mattress.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the sheet of FIG- URE 2 as fitted to and relaxed upon a mattress.

FIGURES 4, 5, and 6 are detailed plan views of the associated panel, flap, and seam edge of preferred embodiments of this invention.

In FIGURE 1 there is shown, as a preferred mode of practice of this invention, a blank from which a sheet of this invention may be made. The blank is preferably cut from a rectangular piece of sheet material. Top, side, and end panels 1, 2, and 3, respectively, substantially conform to the top, side, and end contours of the mattress to be fitted; while side and end flaps 2a and 3a, respectively, extend from the lower edges of respective associated side and end panels 2 and 3 and are adapted to underlie the mattress bottom. Each respective side and end panel 2 and 3 with its respective side and end flap 2a and 3a has curvilinear seam edges 2b and 3b, respectively, whichdefine symmetrically cut-out corner portions of the blank with each of seam edges 2b and 35 having a curvilinear concave segment 4. As shown in FIGURE 2, adjacent seam edges 2b and 3b are united, by any convenient means, to form curvilinear corner scams 5, thereby forming an endless free edge 6. The joined symmetrical concave segments 4 form pinched indentations underlying the corners of mattress 8 and positioning the sheet thereunder, while the corners of free edge 6 depend below the indentation with the periphery of the free edge being quite sufiicient to conveniently encompass the mattress corner without substantial straining or stretching. When free edge 6 is removed from mattress 8, scams 5 can be doubled over at concavities 4 and the entire corner peeled over the mattress much as a sweater is removed. This obviously results in minimum strain upon seam 5. Tensioned linear edge elastic means 7 are attached to the corresponding corner segments of free edge 6 by any convenient means. When the sheet of this invention is relaxed-upon mattress 8, it will appear as shown in FIGURE 3, wherein edge fullness is taken up in corner gathers 9. Upon extension of elastic means 7, the gathers 9 substantially disappear and the sheet is readily fitted or removed and may indeed even be applied with a person lying upon the mattress, as is necessary in a sheet for hospital use.

This invention may be further and more explicitly defined with respect to the preferred embodiments of FIG- URES 4, and 6. In FIGURE 4 there is shown a de tailed view of a portion of one side panel 2, its associated flap 2a, and seam 2b common thereto according to one embodiment of this invention. The adjacent end seam 3b (not shown), will, of course, be a mirror image of seam 2b. According to this invention, at least one extended tangent line may be drawn, upon flap 2a, to curvilinear con ave segment 4 of seam edge 2b. The tangent line 10, as drawn, must be so as to transect each of free edge 6 and a straight line 11 which may be drawn between panel 2 and flap 2a without the tangent line transecting any portion of seam edge 2b between line 1-1 and edge 6. Since curvilinear segment 4 is concave, there must always be a portion -12 of flap 2a lying withinan area bounded in part by lines 10 and 2b.

In FIGURE 5 there is shown a detailed view, similar to FIGURE 4, of another embodiment of this invention. It is readily apparent from an examination of FIGURE 5 that, in this embodiment, with the fullness available to the corner segments of free edge 6 at least being greater than that available to the respective corners of flap 2a and not substantially less than that available to the respective corners of panel 2, upon full extension of elastic means 7 (with reference to the description above and FIGURE 2) and the substantial disappearance of gathers 9 (of FIGURE 3) corner seams 5 will have, as exemplified at 4, a concave curvature. Further, from FIG- URE 5 it can be seen that a number of tangent lines may be drawn within the definition discussed with reference to FIGURE 4. However, in a preferred construction of the sheet of this invention, there will be one extended tangent line -10 to the curvilinear concave segment 4 of seam 2b which, transecting edge 6 and line 11, further is sub stantially perpendicular to line 11. A preferred embodiment of this construction is shown in FIGURE 6 wherein a portion of tangent line 10' is substantially coincident with a portion of concave segment 4 of seam edge 2b. It is most desirable to have the coincident portions mutually transect edge 6 as shown. Again, it will be noted in FIGURE 6 that by definition, as in every preferred embodiment of this invention, there is a portion 12 of flap 2b which is bounded in part by lines 10' and 2b.

The description herein of this invention has been essentially without reference to any means of attachment including hemming, binding, stitching, seaming, etc., the most convenient applications of which will be readily apparent, as necessary, to those skilled in the art. Further omitted have been any consideration of hem and seam allowances, which are also matters within the ordinary skill of the art.

The tensioned edge elastic, which may comprise elastic bands, tapes, strips, or the like, must according to this invention always include corner segments. Inclusive within the definition of corner segments are elastic seg ments extending around one end of the free edge and its adjacent corners, which construction is the equivalent of two adjoining elastic corner segments. The use of linear edge elastic segments attached completely about the free edge of the sheet is also within the contemplation of this invention. Such elastic means may be diiferentially ten sioned according to our patent, 3,020,566, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

We claim;

1. A self-tucking cover for a mattress, or the like, sub- I tucking in cooperation with said elastic means; and concave corner indentations of said endless flap portion, said indentations, independently of said elastic means, being adapted to inwardly underlie the corners of said mattress and position said flap portion beneath said corners and said cover upon said mattress.

2. A self-tucking cover for a mattress or the like comprising: top, side, and end panels for covering the top, sides, and ends, respectively, of a mattress; side and end flaps extending from respective associated side and end panels and adapted to underlie the bottom of a mattress; curvilinear side and end seam edges of each respective side and end panel and each respective associated side and end flap; symmetrical adjacent pairs of said side and end seam edges; each of said seam edges having a concavely cut-out segment thereof; curvilinear corner seams uniting said adjacent pairs of said seam edges, said concavely cut-out segments cooperating to form concave indentations of each curvilinear corner seams whereby said cover will be positioned upon said mattress; an endless free edge of said cover formed by the union of each of said symmetrical adjacent pairs of seam edges; and tensioned linear corner elastic means in cooperation with said free edge whereby said cover will be self-tucking.

3. A self-tucking cover for a mattress or the like comprising: top, side, and end panels for covering the top, sides, and ends, respectively, of a mattress; side and end flaps extending from respective associated side and end panels and adapted to underlie the bottom of a mattress; curvilinear side and end seam edges of each respective side and end panel and each respective associated side and end flap; symmetrical adjacent pairs of said side and end seam edges; each of said seam edges having a concave segment thereof; curvilinear corner seams uniting said adjacent pairs 'of said seam edges; an endless free edge of said cover formed thereby; and tensioned linear corner elastic means in cooperation therewith; whereby there may be drawn upon the panel and associated flap common to each of said seam edges an extended tangent line. said tangent line being tangent to a portion of the concave segment of the respective seam edge while transecting each of said free edge and a straight line which may be drawn between the panel and associated flap common to the respective seam edge without intermediate intersection by said tangent line of the seam edge between said free edge and said straight line, a portion of the resnective flap being in part bounded by the respective seam edge and said tangent line.

4. The cover of claim 3 wherein said extended tangent line is substantially perpendicular to said straight line.

5. The cover of claim 4 wherein a segment of said concave segment is substantially coincident with a segment of said tangent line.

6. The cover of claim 5 wherein said substantially coincident segments mutually transect said free edge.

7. A fitted cover for a mattress, or the like, said cover comprising: top, side, and end panels for covering the top, sides, and ends, respectively, of said mattress; side and end flaps extending from respective associated side and end panels, said flaps being adapted to underlie the bottom of said mattress; side and end seam edges of each respective side and end panel and each respective associated side and end flap; adjacent pairs of said side and end seam edges; corner seams uniting each of said adjacent pairs of seam edges; an endless flap portion, and an endless free edge thereof, formed by the union of each of said adjacent pairs of seam edges; corner segments of said free edge; tensioned linear corner elastic means in combination with said corner segments; edge fullness of said corner segments; and corner gathers of said edge fullness when said corner segments, in combination with said tensioned elastic means, are relaxed upon said mattress in fitting said cover thereover, the fullness available to said corner segments at least being greater than that available to the respective corners of said endless flap portion and not substantially less than that available to the respective corners of said side and end panels united by said corner seam, said corner seams thereby having a concave curvature upon full extension of said corner segments combined with said elastic means, with substantial disappearance of said comer gathers, when said cover is fitted over said mattress.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,139,698 12/1938 Schreiber 5-334 2,605,483 8/1952 Ridenhour 5335 2,788,532 4/1957 Christley 5335 3,181,179 5/1965 Roddey 5-335 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SELF-TUCKING COVER FOR A MATTRESS, OR THE LIKE, SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORMING TO THE TOP, SIDE, AND END CONTOURS THEREOF COMPRISING: AN ENDLESS FLAP PORTION ADAPTED TO DEPEND BELOW SAID MATTRESS; AN ENDLESS FREE EDGE OF SAID FLAP PORTION; CORNER SEGMENTS OF SAID FREE EDGE; TENSIONED LINEAR CORNER ELASTIC MEANS IN COOPERATING WITH SAID CORNER SEGMENTS WHEREBY SAID ENDLESS FLAP PORTION IS SELFTUCKING IN COOPERATION WITH SAID ELASTIC MEANS; AND CONCAVE CORNER INDENTATIONS OF SAID ENDLESS FLAP PORTION, SAID 